Progress. Sometimes it is slow and steady. Sometimes it seems not to move at all – either standing still or inching along undetected. At other times, it comes in bursts.

For the past three years, Clear and Simple Media has been active in Burkina Faso. During a story-development trip in 2015, Simple Truths was put into the hands of a pastor in Banfora to see if he thought the book would be helpful to his new and growing congregation. Since that time, CSM has completed eight translation projects and has printed and distributed more than 30,000 books.

That pastor was Dieudonné Somé. Not only was he one of the primary translators for the Jula version of Simple Truths, but Dieudonné has been instrumental in putting the books into the hands of pastors and church leaders. In a recent trip to Mali, Pastor Somé was able to share the book with several church leaders in that country. Because of this broader exposure, other churches in West Africa have begun to discover the book. That trip uncovered the need for three additional translation projects (Bwaba, Cerma, Pougouli), which CSM was able to complete in early 2018.

The field-testing process began soon after. Though we are pleased with the results, it took a bit longer than expected. Putting the translation into the hands of workers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire was a logistical challenge – but that field-testing work is now completed. Now, our friends in West Africa are hoping that we can put books into their hands, “as soon as possible.”

As a result, we are pleased to announce that the first edition of the Cerma and Bwaba translations of Simple Truths will go to the printer the week of December 16, 2018. We will do the first printing of 1,000 copies in each language. Clear and Simple Media provides the funds for the translations and initial printing. Our distribution agreement requires (requests) that the church sell the books for what amounts to a very affordable “replacement cost.” They then set aside those funds for second and third printings as the need arises.

Simple Truths is a small (144 Questions), evangelical catechism. The book was first developed for the church in Vietnam. Today, the book has been translated and printed in over 40 languages and is being used to disciple new believers and train church workers in 30+ countries.